Fogfield Farm:27-09-2016

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Radio 4

06:00-09:00: The Today Programme   i> Listen live
John Humphreys: And finally... we talk to one of the Nidderdale Conservation Volunteers, Ros E., who is currently sitting in a radio van somewhere in the wilds of North Yorkshire. Hello Ros!

R: Good morning John.

JH: Unfortunately we haven't got much time but I believe that the "NCVs" have been to pastures new this week. Is that right?

R: Yes John - it was very interesting to visit somewhere we've never worked before. It was Fogfield Farm, Darley. 

JH: And the task you were working on?

R: We had to reinstate the line of a footpath through a strip of ancient woodland that runs along the line of Darley Beck. It had become so badly overgrown with holly and brambles that walkers were forced to trample all over the lovely wild flowers alongside.

JH: Interesting. Sounds a bit of a thorny thing to be doing! So what is it that makes a piece of woodland ancient?

R: Well - it has to have existed since 1600 AD and contain a number of indicator species, John. Listeners can find out more from the Woodland Trust website.

JH: Right. So - did you get the job done? I'll have to hurry you here - we don't want to crash the pips.

R: Oh yes - with a band of 14 hard workers we...

JH: Sorry - I'm afraid that's it for this morning. Goodbye from the Today team.

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beeeeep.

R: Hello? Hello? John? Oh dear - I didn't mention that listeners could see photos of the task on the NCV blog......

Some of the locals came along to welcome us on arrival.

The path was definitely in need of attention!

Everyone set to with loppers and saws and 
gradually light began to penetrate.

Vegetation was passed over the wall...

...and piled up in the field next door, 
in 5 enormous heaps, for the farmer to move.

Julia worked wonders on the job of revealing some paving slabs that had got lost over the years.

James sawed away at something 
whilst Dave practised his putting.

Oh. I see. Not golfing after all.
Good team work you two.

At coffee time Little Miss Muffet and her mate sat on the only available log that ensured their rear ends remained dry in a very boggy field nearby.

At lunch time Osian entertained us with useful bits of information about the anatomy of hippos. Did you know that they used their stumpy tails to flick away their poo? It obviously tickled Phil's funny bone.

Our students worked like Trojans all day.

By 2:30pm the path was clear all the way along its length. 

A job well done - let's hope that both the 

walkers and the wild flowers benefit.